Freerolls Caution & Considerations
I would not suggest play money if you're serious about advancing your game. I started at the play money tables when there was very few real money options around online.
My benefit came from learning the mechanics of the game and I picked up a few tips along the way, but very little prepared me for real money play.
You'll get donkeys at the cash table and I'm thankful for them (usually), but in general when cash is at stake, players have something to lose and make more of an effort to play correctly.
If you're a complete novice at the game variation, by all means, get yourself into a freeroll but don't expect to learn much more than the rules. Be careful you don't pick up bad habits or you'll become one of the real money donkey's.
There are numerous levels to online poker:
- Play money
- Freeroll
- Micro stakes
- Low limit
- Medium stake
- Nosebleed stakes
As the stakes rise, so does game complexity and difficulty.
Play Money / Freerolls
Play money and freerolls are for the very, very basics. For people who enjoy playing poker for fun but not comfortable with the financial risks involved.
Micro Stakes - Intro to Real money Poker
Micro stakes have their fair share of donkeys and players will often hang on to marginal hands to the death. They often call when deep down they're hoping their hand will stand up, rather than expecting it to. Players can be difficult to read because many will pay to see the flop with any two cards. Most have a basic understanding of the game.
Lower/Medium Stakes - Sharks begin circling
At the lower/medium stake you'll encounter many decent players who're trying to build/re-build their bankrolls. Some are casual players just out for a gamble.
Medium stake players are often the one's who look for websites like this. They have a list of books and always look for new ways to gain that extra edge.
Nosebleed for the Pro's
Nosebleed stake are for the pro's and in tournament's, a bunch of half decent lower level players. They take poker strategy to the extreme and many live and breathe poker.
Know you're Limitations
Diving in at a stake level above your punching power will slaughter you're bankroll long term. It's won't help your confidence and you might get a kick in the teeth before you get a chance to learn from you're mistakes.
If you intent to play freerolls, remember players enter for free, they've nothing to lose by throwing all their chips in the pot. In many respects, comparing it to real money play is like chalk & cheese.
Major Freeroll Events
Freerolls have their place in poker, many have prize pools that are worth entering. As of writing, I'm lining up for a freeroll with $1 million added to the prize pool by pokerstars.
That tournament is for the monthly million dollar turbo takedown freeroll. I will be up against some strong players but also your weekend type of players. The payout's are good but the game is only a freeroll in name. In truth, it's what's at stake that makes the difference. People get scared at the thought of a big payout. Welcome to the real money poker world.
To enter the turbo takedown you require 3000 loyalty points (FPP's), and that can only be collected via real money play.
I used to play the supernova (VIP) freeroll each week, that helped improve my tournament play but these are exceptions to the rules. If you're serious about improving you're game, don't linger too long at the freeroll tables.
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